I wasn't Syd Barrett's biggest fan. His guitar work was OK, but I thought his songwriting was generally crappy. Piper at the Gates of Dawn is the only Floyd album I don't like. Oh, except for maybe 'More.'

I put on Wish You Were Here earlier today when I heard the news. His work is vastly underrated, and the fact that he was the one that brought David, Roger, Rick and Nick into the music business as well as being their primary inspiration at their peak should be more than enough for appreciation from every Floyd fan.

I feel saddened because I rather enjoyed some of his work. Though I agree with Losfer that he did get a bit out there at times, I also agree with Nemmet: this guy is the man responsible for the band's creation. While its best days may have been after he left, he is still just as pivotal in the history of the band.

So as a fan of Pink Floyd it's a sad bit of news. About the only thing I can wish for is that the men in the band remember how good their music was, and Syd's inspiration. Perhaps then they can get off their respective high horses and quit bickering long enough to do a tribute show/tour?